Cable connector



J. S. LARKINS, JR

CABLE CONNECTOR Filed Nov'. 6, 1944 6 Sheets-Sheet l ATTORNEYS April 27, 1948.

April 27, 1948. J. s. LARKlNs, JR l 2,440,279

CABLE CONNECTOR Filed Nov. 6, 1944 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TOR. JOHN .5'. LARKINqJ/z.

v rrl 4 l l l I l I l Il IIIIIIIII cam/2LH #am ATTORNEYS April 27, 1948. J. s. LARKlNs, .JR

CABLE CONNECTOR Filed Nov. 6, 1944 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. .fo/1N s. Aam/ma BY CdM-*ffm* A T TORNEYS pr 2'?, 1948. J. s. LARI/4ms, JR

CABLE CONNECTOR Filed Nov. 6, 1944 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 I N V EN TOR. JOHN s. LAM/Mm Il' Il lll.

ci cfm-(MMM A TTORNEYS April 27, 1948. J. s. LARKlNs, JR

CABLE CONNECTOR Filed Nov. 6, 1944 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 EVE f a g'. MGAMAM ATTORNEYS April v27, 1948. JQ s. LARKlNs, JR

CABLE CONNECTOR Filed Nov. 6, 1944 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 IN V LN TOR. JOHNS. LRKINIJR.

BY c. @m4n/MMA! ATTORNEYS Patented Apr. 27, 1948 2,440,279 r CABLE CONNECTOR John S. Larkins, Jr., Scotia, N. Y. Application November 6, 1944, Serial No. 562,151

s claims.

(Granted under the ac amended April 30,

The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government for governmental purposes, Without the payment to me of any royalty thereon.

This invention relates generally to cable connectors and more particularly to a detachable water-proof connector for electric cables.

An object of the present invention is to provide a cable connector which may be readily severed, yet which is water-proof when connected.

Another object of the i-nvention is to provide a cable connector in which novel iioating means are provided to enable the conductors to be automatically aligned with each other so that the separable parts of the connector can be readily joined together.l

Numerous uses exist for water-proof cable connectors of the type disclosed in this invention. For example, they are essential in motor driven vehicles likely to be used in amphibious military operation. For service purposes, cable connectors must be provided on such vehicles and they must be water-proof without being permanently sealed so that they may be readily disconnected when desired. Water-proof cable connectors are also advantageous in aircraft and in other installations in which condensation may occur due to change in altitude or in which there is substantial change in humidity.

One of the diiiiculties encountered in cable connectors, and particularly in cable connectors which must be sealed against moisture, arises from the necessity of providing means for aligning the conductors which are to be connected to each other. Inasmuch as the connector includes a plurality of electrical conductors, it is necessary to provide some type of floating means between the corresponding conductors so that upon attachment` they will automatically become aligned with each other. In the present invention, this is accomplished by providing not only a iioating sleeve which is formed with a socket therein for the insertion of a conductor, but also by means of a exible member interconnecting the sleeve and the other electrical conductor.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be made more apparent as this description proceeds, 'particularly when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal cross sectional view of a cable connector embodying the present invention.

Figures 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 are longitudinal cross t of March 3, 1883, as

sectional views of modifications of the construction shown in Figure l.

Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to Figure 1, it will be noted that I have illustrated an embodiment of the present invention in which the reference character I0 indicates an inner housing of generally cylindrical configuration telescopically engaged by an outer housing II which is keyed to the inner housing I0 by means of the key I2, thereby permitting relative axial movement between the housings but preventing rotation therebetween. Within the outer housing I I is a connector block I3 suitably constructed of an electrically insulating material. The block I3 carries a plurality of pins I4 provided with enlargements I5a intermediate their ends and anchored in the block I3. The outer end of each pini!! is provided with a socket I5 into which is soldered an electrical conductor I6.

Within the inner housing I0 is another connector block I 'I also constructed of an electrically insulating material. A plurality of pins I8 are carried by the block I l and are provided at one end with enlargements i9 anchored in the block Il and at the opposite end with sockets 20 to receive one end of the conductors 2I. The pins I4 and I8 in the blocks I3 and I 'I are aligned with each other, and the number of pins in each block corresponds with the number of conductors in the electric cable.

Between the blocks I3 and I 1 and within the inner housing I 0 is another block 22 provided with a plurality of passages 23 extending therethrough and of circular cross section. At one end of each passage 23 an inturned annular lip 24 is provided forming a shoulder in the passage. Positioned Within each passage and adapted to abut the shoulder is a sleeve 25. 'lhe sleeve 25 is cylindrical in cross section and is somewhat smaller in diameter than the inner diameter of the passage 23, thus permitting the sleeve to float in the passage.

A socket 26 is provided at one end of the sleeve 25 and is adapted to receive and tightly engage the forward end of the pin I4. The opposite end of the sleeve 25 is provided with a socket 21 into which is soldered a exible joint 28, the opposite end of which extends into the connector block I I and is soldered in a socket 29 provided in the enlargement I9 on the pin I8. Surrounding the flexible joint 28 intermediate the sleeve 25 and the connector block Il is a spacer 30.

From the foregoing. description. it will be noted that I have provided means for detachably connecting an electric cable which includes a floating and iiexible joint adapted to automatically align the parts of the cable to be connected. Not only does the sleeve 25 oat in the passage 23 in the block 22. but the flexible connector 28, which may be constructed of any suitable flexible conducting material such as braided copper wire, permits the sleeve 25 to be readily moveable within the passage relative to the pin I8 in the connector block I1. y,

rll'ie inner housing I8 is provided with an annular groove 3I into which is seatedv an annular retaining ring 32 adapted to abut the end of the block 22, the latter being keyed to the inner housing I8 by means of the key 33. In a similar manner, the outer housing I I is provided with an annular groove 34 receiving an annular retaining ring 35 adapted to abut one end of the connector block I3, the latter being keyed to the outer housing by means of the key 36. Upon separation of the cable connector, the inner housings I8 and i I are moved axially with respect to each other, the connector block I3 Ibeing carried with the outer housing by means of the retaining ring 35 while the blocks 22 and I1 are carried with the inner housing by means of the retaining ring 32. The sleeve 25 abuts the shoulders formed by the lips 24, and the pins I4 are accordingly withdrawn from the sockets 26 in the sleeves. When the separated parts of the connector are reconnected, the keys 36, 33 and I2 must be aligned with their respective keyways so that the parts of the connector are assembled in the proper relation in order that the corresponding conductors can be connected. Any irregularities or misalignment of the pins I4 and the sleeves 25 is taken care of by the iioating of the sleeves within the passage 23 and the iiexible joints 28 as previously described.

End housings 31 and 38 are provided vand form extensions of the inner and outer housings I8 and I'I respectively. The housings 31r and 38 are adapted to be connected to ferrules 39 into which the conduits 48 are assembled, in a manner to be more fully described hereinafter.

Means are provided to affect a water-proof seal between the various parts of the cable connector. The joints between the ferrules 39 and the end housings 31 and 38 respectively, are sealed by means of annular sealing gaskets 4I seated within annular channel-shaped grooves 42 provided in the ferrules 39. The end housings 31 and 38 are provided with return bend portions 43 adapted tof engage the sealing gaskets 4I. Locking nuts`44threaded upon the ferrules 39 clamp the sealing rings 4I between the ierrules and the portions' 43 of the end housings.

A similar sealing gasket 45 is positioned in an annular groove 46 provided at one end of the inner housing I8 andis engaged by the adjacent end 41 of the end housing 31. Channel shapedv annular grooves 48 and 49 are provided upon opposite sides of the connector block I3 and annular sealing gaskets 58 and 5I are seated therein. The gasket I is engaged by the end 52 of the inner housing I0 and the gasket 58 is engaged by the inturned 1i`p`53 of the outer housing II. The seal between the outer housing I I and the end housing 38 comprises the gasket 54 mounted in a manner similar to the gasket 4,5 'forming the seal between the inner housing Iand the end housing 31.

In order to place the various sealing gaskets under compression and to effectively seal the joints between the parts of the cable connector,

I have provided a plurality of anges 55 extending radially outwardly from the inner housing I8 and spaced around a periphery of the latter. The flanges 55 are provided with axially extending threaded bores 56. Radially outwardly extending flanges 51 and 58 are provided upon the end housings 31 and 38 respectively, in alignment with the flanges 55 and are formed with apertures 59 and 68 in alignment with the threaded bores 56. Suitable bolts (not shown) connect the flanges 51 and 58 respectively to the flanges 65 and when tightened place the sealing gaskets 85, 58, 5I and 54 under compression, thus sealing the joints therebetween. i

An additional seal is `provided between the connector block I1 and the inner housing I8 by means of a sealing gasket 62. The connector block I3 is formed with a collar 63 engaging the end of theblock 22 to produce pressure on both sides of the block I1.

Referring now to the modification shown in Figure 2, it will be noted that this construction is the same as the construction shown in Figure 1 with the exception of certain changes in the housing members and in the sealing means as hereinafter described. A central housing 88 is provided within which are assembled the insulating blocks 8I and 82.. An outer housing 83 telescopically engages the inner housing 88 and is keyed thereto by the key 84. The housing 83 carries the connector block 85 therein. Another outer housing 86 is provided, telescopically engaging thev opposite end of the inner housing 88. End

housings 81 and 88 form extensions of the outer housings 86 and 83 respectively, and are suitably connected to the ferrules 89. The sealing means include the gasket 98 sealing the joint between the outer housing 86 and the end housing 81, the gasket SI between the outer housing 86 and the insulating block 82, the gasket 92 between the block 82 and the inner housing 88, the gasket 93 between the inner housing 88 and the block 85, the gasket 94 between the block 85 and the outer housing 83 and the gasket 95 between the outer housing 83 and the end housing 88.

The clamps 96 are provided for placing the aforementioned sealing gaskets under compression and for clamping the various parts of the cable connector together. These clamps comprise spring loops 91 having one end thereof pivotally mounted in the apertures 98 provid-ed in the inner housing 88 and having their opposite ends positioned in the annular grooves 99 provided in the levers I88. The levers I88 each have one end I8I fulcrumed in annular grooves I82 provided in the end housings 81 and 88. The clamps 96 are shown in their clamped position at which time split retaining rings |83 are positioned over the levers I to prevent accidental disengagement. To release the parts of the calble connector, the rings III3 are removed and the levers I88 are swung outwardly.

The modification shown in Figure 3 is identical to that of Figure 2 with the exception of the one piece end housings II8 and III. The housing II8 replaces the end housing 81 and the outer housing 86 of Figure 2 and eliminates necessity of a seal therebetween, and the end housing III replaces the'end housing 88 and the outer housing 83 of Figure 2. Slightly different sealing means are also provided between the housings II8 and III and the ferrules II2. This sealing means comprises wedge shaped annular sealing gaskets II3 positioned between the feraeedevo rules ||2 and the cone shaped surfaces H4 provided at the end of the housings ||0 and In the construction shown in Figure 4 an inner housing is positioned within an outer housing |2| which telescopically engages the housing |22. The wedge shaped sealing ring |23 is provided between the housings |20 and |25 and annular sealing rings |24 and |25 are provided in the connector block |26 and respectively seal the joint between the block |26 and the housings |22 and |2|. It will be noted that this construction simplifies the general housing structure and eliminates the necessity for some of the sealing gaskets required in the constructions previously described. The outer housings |2| and |22 are clamped together by any suitable means such as shown in Figures 1 or 2.

The structure shown in Figure 5 is further simplified in that the housing comprises only two members, namely the housing i3d and the housing |3| telescopically engaging each other. Only three sealing gaskets |32, |33 and it@ are required in addition to the gaskets provided between the housings and |3| and the ferrules |35.

Figure 6 shows a construction permitting sepa? ration at two points. The inner housing receives a pair of insulating blocks Ml and |42 keyed to the housing at |43. Each of the insulating blocks is provided with a passage M3' for each conductor of the cable. Lips |44 at opposite ends of the blocks form shoulders providing stops for the sleeves |45 and |45 which are loosely received therein. The adjacent ends of the sleeves |45 and |46 are connected by means of the ilexible connector |41 which is partly encased within a spacer |48. The opposite ends of the sleeves are provided with sockets |49 adapted to receive pins |50 anchored in the connector blocks ISI. The connector blocks l5! are positoned within outer housing members |52 and are carried therewith by means of the annular retaining rings |53 seated in annular grooves in the housings. The blocks |4I and |42 are retained in the inner housing |40 by means of the shoulder |54 formed at one end of the inner housing and the retaining ring |55 seated within an annular groove at the opposite end of the housing. y

From the foregoing, it will be seen that either of the outer housings |52 can be separated from the inner housing |40 thereby affecting the disconnecting of the electric cable. Suitable annular sealing gaskets |56 and |51 provide seals between the inner and outer housing members and the connector blocks |5|. End housings |58 form extensions of the outer housing members and 'are sealed to the latter bymeans of the annular gaskets |59. Clamping means for clamping the parts of the connector in sealing engagement with each other include bolts |60 extending through ilanges |6| and |62 on the end housings |58 and the inner housing |40 respectively.

Although I have shown and described certain embodiments of my invention, it will be understood that I do not wish to be limited to the exact construction shown and described, but that various changes and modications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention as defined in the appended claims. l

WhatIclaim is:

1. A cable connector comprising insulating means having a passage therein, a conducting element loosely received in said passage, said element having a contact member at one end thereof, a. conductor anchored in said insulating means in line with said conducting element and flexibly connected at one end to the other end of said conducting element to permit transverse play of the element in its passage, the other end of said anchored member protruding through said insulating meansto provide a terminal for attachment of a wire thereto.

2. A cable connector comprising an insulating block having a plurality of passages therein, a conducting sleeve loosely received in each of said passages, each said sleeve having a socket in one end thereof, a second insulating block, a plurality of conductors anchored therein, each of said conductors being flexibly connected at one end thereof to a corresponding said sleeve at the other end of the latter to permit transverse play of the sleeve in its passage.

3. A cable connector comprising an insulating block having a plurality of passages therein, a conducting sleeve loosely received in each of said passages, each said sleeve having a socket in one end thereof, a pair of insulating blocks disposed at the ends of the rst named block, a plurality of conductors carried by each of said pair of blocks, each of said conductors carried by one of said pair of blocks being received at one end thereof Within the socket of a corresponding said sleeve, and each of said conductors carried by the other of said pair of blocks being connected at one end thereof to a corresponding said sleeve at the other end of the latter by a ilexible lead whereby the sleeve is permitted transverse play in its passage.

4. A cable connector comprising an insulating block having a plurality of passages therethrough, a shoulder in said block at one end of each of said passages, a conducting sleeve loosely received in each of said passages and adapted to abut said shoulder, said sleeve having a socket in one end thereof, a second insulating block at the end of the iirst named block remote from said shoulder, a plurality of conductors anchored in said last named block and extending therefrom, a third insulating blockat the opposite end of the rst named block, a plurality of conductors anchored in said third block and extending there-l from, each of said conductors in said third block being received at one end thereof within the socket in the corresponding said sleeve, and each of said conductors in said second block being flexibly connected to a corresponding said sleeve at the other end of the latter to permit transverse play of the sleeve in its passage.

5. In a waterproof cable connector having telescopically related housing shells relatively movable axially and sealingly joinable alignedly in telescoped abutting relationship, an insulating block within one of said shells and connectedly movable axially therewith, said block having a plurality of passages therein, a conducting sleeve loosely received in each of said passages, said sleeve having a socket in one end thereof, a second insulating block within another of said shells and connectedly movable axially therewith, a plurality of conductors anchored in said second block, each of said conductors being received at one end thereof in a corresponding said socket, and a second plurality of conductors each flexibly connected to a corresponding said sleeve at the other end of the latter to permit transverse play of the sleeve in its passage.

6. In a waterproof cable connector having a 7 housing including -two telesccpically related shells relatively movable axially and sealingly joinable alignedly. in telescoped abutting relationship, an insulating block within one of said shells and connectedly movable axially therewith, said block 5 having a plurality of passages therein, a conducting sleeve loosely received in each of sal'd passages. said sleeve having a socket in one end thereof. a second insulating block disposed at one end of the first named block within the other of said shells and connectedly movable axially with the latter, a plurality of conductors carried by said second block, each of said conductors being received at one end thereof within a corresponding said socket, a third insulating block disposed at the other end of the ilrst named block within said one of said shells and connectediy movable axially with the latter, and a second plurality oi' conductors carried by said third block, each of said second plurality ot conductors being con- REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Number Date 1,418,171 Raettig May 30, 1922 1,686,534 Rosenzweg Oct. 9, 1928 1,997,081 Reynolds Apr. 9, 1935 2,117,029 Larsson May 10, 1938 2,124,182 Braun July 19, 1938 2,183,651 Langston et al. Dec. 19, 1939 2,220,810 Bright Nov. 5, 1940 2,241,419 Peters May 13, 1941 2,265,341 Brocllert Dec. 9, 1941 2,284,945 Chandler June 2, 1942 2,291,071 Bruno July 28. 1942 2,296,766 Bruno Sept. 22, 1942 2,315,623 Jacobi Apr. 6, 1943 2,319,822 Wentz May 11, 1943 2,369,849 Phillips Feb. 20, 1945 

